Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Thursday, May 5, that two Bronx brothers have been charged with murder and manslaughter in connection with a shooting in Fordham Heights that left a 61-year-old female bystander dead after she was hit by a stray bullet.

According to the investigation, and as previously reported by Norwood News, on April 4, at approximately 7:05 p.m. in front of 164 East 188th Street, the defendants, Donald Johnson, 20, and Rakell Hampton, 34, both of 2403 Creston Avenue, allegedly got into an argument with three men and then pulled out guns.

Johnson allegedly fired multiple shots in the direction of the men. Juana Esperanza Soriano De Perdomo, 61, was caught in the crossfire and was struck once in the upper left back, piercing her lung and heart. She was pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Hospital. The defendants fled the scene and were arrested on April 4, as reported.

In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “This callous disregard for passersby caused the death of 61-year-old mother and grandmother, Juana Esperanza Soriano de Perdomo. This is another senseless shooting causing death and the devastation of a family.”

The district attorney said the defendants were arraigned on second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and first-degree reckless endangerment. Johnson was arraigned May 4, before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas and Hampton was arraigned on May 2, also before Villegas. The defendants were remanded in custody and are due back in court on June 17.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Orville Reynolds, counsel in the homicide bureau, under the supervision of Christine Scaccia, chief of the homicide bureau, and under the overall supervision of James Brennan, deputy chief of the trial division, and Theresa Gottlieb, chief of the trial division.

Clark thanked Kimberly Cameron, team leader/supervisor in the homicide bureau and trial preparation assistant, Jonathan Romero, of the homicide bureau.

She also thanked Detective Adam Acosta of the 46^th precinct and Detective Robert Cintron of the Bronx homicide squad for their assistance in the investigation.